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N O L A.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 19, 2025
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Opening doors
‘Tupa tupa’ tradition kept alive at many St. Joseph’s Altars
FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD
Joseph Halm served as the 2023 Jefferson City Buzzards’ grand marshal at the Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade in Metairie.
Italian meets Irish and Isleños
More parades coming up Talk about a time of global celebrations, parades still to come in this busy time include an Italian, two Irish-Italians, and one IrishItalian-Isleños.
ITALIAN
ST. JOSEPH’S DAY PARADE: The Italian American St. Joseph Society parade will include floats, bands and marching groups parading through the CBD and French Quarter on March 22, 6 p.m., starting and ending at the intersection of Convention Center Boulevard and Poydras Street in New Orleans. italianamericansociety.org.
The St. Joseph’s Altar at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Metairie will be held March 19.
BY EVA JACOB BARKOFF Contributing writer
Ever noticed that some St. Joseph’s Altars listings include the words “tupa tupa?” Translated, the words ä Area St. Joseph’s mean “knock Altars. PAGE 2G knock,” and the short ceremony tells the story of the search for food and shelter by the holy family — Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and angels. It’s an old tradition that celebrates St. Joseph. The church members playing the family travel to three different doors, with St. Joseph knocking on each one. They are turned away at the first two doors, but after knocking on the third, they are welcomed inside. There, a meal is served to them first, and then others who are invited to eat.
STAFF PHOTO BY MAX BECHERER St. Francis Xavier Church in Old Metairie has held its own tupa tupa ceremony for more than three decades. After the 8 a.m. Mass on March 19, the children and adults who have been selected for the tupa tupa roles will lead a procession from the church to the auditorium, where the St. Joseph’s Altar is located. The altar will officially open, and those attending will be invited to eat, honoring the same event that happened
centuries ago. Jack Siciliano came up with the idea to add the tupa tupa ceremony at St. Francis Xavier. “Growing up in Bogalusa, my mother and my aunt were participants in the tupa tupa,” Siciliano said. “I learned from my family, especially from my grandmother, the history of tupa tupa ceremony as well as the St. Joseph’s Altars.
ä See TRADITION, page 2G
IRISH-ITALIAN
IRISH-ITALIAN PARADE: The Louisiana IrishItalian Association parade will be held March 23, starting at noon, in Metairie. The parade starts at Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Houma near Clearview Shopping Center and continues down Veterans, ending at Martin Behrman Drive. lairishitalian.org. GRETNA IRISH-ITALIAN PARADE: The parade will roll March 30 at noon, starting at Burmaster and Franklin Streets and ending at 4th Street and Huey P. Long Avenue. The afterparty, featuring live music, will be held at the Gretna Market, between 3rd and 4th streets along Huey P. Long Avenue, 5-8 p.m.
IRISH-ITALIAN-ISLEÑOS
ST. BERNARD IRISH ITALIAN ISLEÑOS PARADE: The parade starts at noon April 5 along the W. Judge Perez Ave. route in Chalmette – from Meraux Drive down to Ventura and back.
Pets and plants don’t always mix After the harsh winter, I’m sure many folks have gardens just like mine that are in desperate need of some TLC. With the official start of spring upon us, it’s time to get to work on those yards. For pet owners, though, it’s important to choose wisely because not all plant varieties are safe for pets. Selecting plants that Traci will keep pets safe while Howerton also maintaining a certain ANIMAL level of curb appeal can RESCUE be quite the task as some flowers and plants, albeit beautiful, are toxic for dogs and cats. Before sprucing up the garden, do a little research. Planting a poisonous variety can cause serious illness and can even be fatal for our four-legged friends if they ingest the plant. Here are some of the most common poisonous plants that should be avoided: Sago palm: Also known as the Palm Sunday Palm, these plants are popular in our area, especially this time of year. This is one of the most dangerous plants for pets as the entire plant, and the seeds in particular, contain a potent toxin called cycasin that can be fatal
STAFF PHOTOS BY SCOTT THRELKELD
Lillie Chastant waves to friends while riding the carousel with her daughter, Ruthie Chastant, 5, right, and husband, Paul Chastant, at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park at City Park in New Orleans on Saturday.
Take a SPIN for SPRING
ä More photos. PAGE 8G
ä See PETS, page 6G
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park at New Orleans City Park reopened recently for the spring, with hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Its 17 attractions include one of the country’s oldest carousels as well as the Ladybug Roller Coaster and Ferris wheel. Children under 3 feet tall get
Children squeal with a mix of delight and fright as they take the plunge at the Monkey Jump attraction.
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